Atlas

Table of Contents

Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics

Images

launch of Faith 7

Atlas-Agena launch vehicle

Launch of the AC-6 Atlas-Centaur rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, Aug. 11, 1965, which placed a dynamic model of the Surveyor spacecraft into a simulated lunar transfer orbit.

New Horizons liftoff

(Top) U.S. astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr., entering the Mercury spacecraft Friendship 7 on February 20, 1962, in preparation for launch. Riding into space atop a modified Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile (bottom), Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth.

Read Next

solar eclipse, sun, moon, astronomy, space

How Do You Tell the Difference Between Total, Annular, Solar, and Lunar Eclipses?

Arrangement of the phases of the moon in total eclipse with Blood Moon

9 Celestial Omens

Galaxy clusters like Abell 2744 can act as a natural cosmic lens, magnifying light from more distant, background objects through gravity. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope may be able to detect light from the first stars in the universe if they are gravitationally lensed by such clusters. (astronomy, space exploration, galaxies)

How Fast Is the Universe Expanding?

US Skylab space station in orbit. After the Apollo missions, the next major NASA venture was the Skylab manned earth satellite program. The orbiting laboratory was launched on May 14, 1973, and during the year three separate crewsof three men were sent up

Pro and Con: Space Colonization

Solar system illustration. (Sun; planets)

A Model of the Cosmos

Discover

Fish. Lionfish. Lion-fish. Turkey fish. Fire-fish. Red lionfish. Pterois volitans. Venomous fin spines. Coral reefs. Underwater. Ocean. Red lionfish swims by seaweed.

10 of the World’s Most Dangerous Fish

Nativity Scene, Adoration of the Magi, Church of the Birth of the Virgin Mary, Montenegro

Why Is Christmas in December?

Hemp (Cannabis sativa).

9 Mind-Altering Plants

Entrants falling and tumbling over while chasing the cheese at the 2016 'Cheese Rolling' held at Cooper's Hill, in the Cotswolds, Brockworth England

7 of the World’s Most Dangerous Festivals

Close-up of ostriches (Struthio camelus) necks and heads; location unknown.

6 of the World's Most Dangerous Birds

Coriander leaves, fresh green cilantro on wooden background, herbs

Why Does Cilantro Taste Like Soap to Some People?

Saint Lucia Day. Young girl wears Lucia crown (tinsel halo) with candles. Holds Saint Lucia Day currant laced saffron buns (lussekatter or Lucia's cats). Observed December 13 honor virgin martyr Santa Lucia (St. Lucy). Luciadagen, Christmas, Sweden

7 Winter Solstice Celebrations From Around the World

Atlas: Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Photos

launch of Faith 7

Atlas-Agena launch vehicle

Launch of the AC-6 Atlas-Centaur rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, Aug. 11, 1965, which placed a dynamic model of the Surveyor spacecraft into a simulated lunar transfer orbit.

New Horizons liftoff

(Top) U.S. astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr., entering the Mercury spacecraft Friendship 7 on February 20, 1962, in preparation for launch. Riding into space atop a modified Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile (bottom), Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth.

See All Images →

Topics

launch vehicle missile Ariane Delta Ares Falcon Titan rocket Tomahawk Nike missile Long March Saturn Peacekeeper missile

Quiz

Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.

All About Astronomy